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Finding a Denton county texas electric bill assistance program can provide critical financial relief when household budgets are strained by high energy costs. Help is available for Denton County residents through multiple channels, including state-funded programs, local community-action agencies, county-wide non-profits, and specific relief funds offered directly by an electric provider. These services are designed to help residents keep their lights on, manage immediate energy needs, and in some cases, reduce future utility bills.
The system of support is a network of different organizations, and navigating the available options is the first step toward securing support.
For residents of Denton County, the primary organization designated by the state to administer federal and state-funded utility assistance is the Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG). TCOG manages the state's largest assistance programs, which serve as the foundational support for low-income households.
What is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)?
The main program offered by TCOG is the Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP). CEAP is funded by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
The program's purpose is twofold: first, to assist low-income households in meeting their immediate energy needs, and second, to encourage consumers to control long-term energy costs through energy education. TCOG is the official subrecipient organization that manages and distributes these CEAP funds for all eligible residents in Denton County.
A Critical Clarification: CEAP vs. Texas Utility Help (TUH)
It is important to note that CEAP is the state's ongoing, permanent program. Residents may find outdated information referring to the Texas Utility Help (TUH) website. The state's official resource page clarifies that the temporary TUH program is now CLOSED and is no longer accepting applications.
The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs directs all individuals seeking utility assistance to its "Help for Texans" portal, which then identifies the designated local subrecipient for their county. For Denton County, this correct and active channel for assistance is the TCOG-administered CEAP.
CEAP Income Eligibility: Do You Qualify?
Eligibility for the CEAP program is based on a household's total gross income. To qualify, a household's income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. These income thresholds are updated annually.
Based on the guidelines effective from January 27, the maximum annual income levels are as follows:
For families with more than eight persons, $8,250 is added for each additional person. This figure is based on the official 150% FPL calculations published by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.
How to Apply for TCOG Utility Assistance (The Process)
TCOG utilizes a waitlist system for its utility assistance program. Applications are not available to be completed online.
There are two ways for residents to obtain an application packet and be placed on the waitlist:
Completed applications must be submitted by mail or delivered in person. Applications are not accepted by fax or email.
Completed applications can be delivered to one of two locations:
For questions about the application or to check on status, residents can call (903) 893-2161 ext. 3541 or email energyapp@tcog.com.
The application process can take approximately eight weeks. It is crucial to submit a complete application, as any missing documentation will delay the process.
Document Checklist for Your TCOG Application
An application will not be processed until all required documents are received by TCOG. Applicants must gather and submit the following items:
In addition to direct bill payment assistance, TCOG also administers the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) for Denton County. This is a separate, free program designed to provide long-term relief rather than immediate bill payment.
Beyond Bill Pay: How WAP Reduces Your Energy Costs
The goal of WAP is to reduce the energy cost burden on low-income households by making their homes more energy efficient. This is not a renovation or cosmetic improvement program.
Trained professionals first conduct a comprehensive energy audit of the home to identify inefficiencies. Based on that audit, the program may provide a range of free services, including:
Any home that has already received weatherization services since September 30, 1994, is not eligible to be weatherized again.
Income Guidelines for WAP (A Higher Limit)
A critical feature of the Weatherization Assistance Program is its higher income eligibility limit. Even if a household's income is too high for the CEAP bill payment program, they may still be eligible for WAP.
WAP eligibility is calculated up to 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. This is a significantly higher threshold than CEAP's 150% limit. For example, a family of four with an annual income of $60,000 would be over-income for CEAP (limit $48,225) but would fall under the WAP limit ($64,300).
The maximum annual income levels for WAP (at 200% FPL) are:
For families with more than eight persons, $11,000 is added for each additional person.
How to Apply for WAP in Denton County
There are two paths to apply for WAP. First, if a resident is approved for CEAP utility assistance, their specialist can provide an internal referral to the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Second, residents can apply for WAP directly. TCOG provides a separate WAP application packet. The completed application (e.g., "TCOG_2025-WAP-Appl-Complete") must be mailed to the WAP-specific address:
For questions related specifically to the WAP application, residents should call (800) 677-8264 ext. 3530.
While TCOG manages the large-scale, income-based government programs, local non-profit agencies are often the source for immediate, crisis-based assistance. These agencies are designed to help residents facing a sudden financial emergency, such as a layoff or unexpected medical bill, avoid utility disconnection.
Christian Community Action (CCA)
Christian Community Action (CCA) is a primary resource in Denton County that provides emergency financial assistance for utility payments to prevent disconnection.
CCA's service area is specific, covering residents of Denton County as well as those within the boundaries of Coppell ISD and Frisco ISD.
CCA Application Status and Process
This program is intended for emergency situations and is experiencing extremely high demand. Due to this high volume, CCA is NOT currently accepting online requests for assistance.
To request financial assistance, residents must go in person to the CCA office to schedule an appointment.
Appointments are offered on a first come, first served basis. Residents must bring all required documentation with them at the time they go to schedule the appointment, or one will not be scheduled.
Document Checklist for CCA
CCA's program is crisis-based, and its documentation requirements are different from TCOG's. Applicants must be prepared to document the specific emergency that caused their financial hardship. The required documents include:
The Salvation Army (Denton and Lewisville)
The Salvation Army offers emergency assistance programs to help families pay utility bills and rent, providing a critical safety net to prevent homelessness. Assistance is managed through local service centers.
How to Apply for Salvation Army Assistance
Residents have two main options for applying for help:
Denton and Lewisville Salvation Army Locations
City of Denton P-L-U-S One Program (Administered by Interfaith Ministries)
For residents who are customers of Denton Municipal Utilities (DMU), a special program called P-L-U-S One (Prevent Loss of Utility Service) is available. This program is funded by tax-deductible donations from other DMU customers and is designed to help families facing short-term financial emergencies.
The P-L-U-S One funds are managed and distributed by Interfaith Ministries of Denton.
Eligibility and Priority for PLUS One
This program is intended for short-term, documented crises, such as a sudden layoff, home fire, or unexpected medical expenses. Priority for assistance is given to residential households that meet one of the following criteria:
Assistance is limited. DMU customers are eligible for help a maximum of three times in a calendar year and cannot have received utility assistance within the previous 12 months.
How to Apply and Documents Needed for Interfaith
To start the screening process, residents must contact Interfaith Ministries. An appointment is required for financial assistance.
Applicants must bring all required documents to their scheduled appointment. These documents are needed to prove the short-term crisis:
A third path for help exists directly through a resident's Retail Electric Provider (REP). Many of the largest providers in Denton County offer their own private assistance funds, payment plans, and deferrals, which are separate from any state or non-profit aid.
Help for CoServ Customers (CoServ Electric)
CoServ encourages its members who need help paying their bills to contact Customer Care directly at (940) 321-7800. The company offers payment due-date extensions and its CoServ Charitable Foundation (CCF) provides funding to many of the local social service agencies (like CCA) that distribute aid.
CoServ members may also be eligible for two specific funds:
Brazos Electric Ratepayer Hardship Fund
This fund was established to offset the high energy costs incurred during Winter Storm Uri and provides bill credits to eligible CoServ members. To be eligible, a resident must be a CoServ member AND meet one of the following criteria:
Applications can be submitted at brazoshardshipfund.com.
Bill Payment Assistance for Burned Veterans
This is a specialized program for U.S. military veterans who were burned in combat. It provides bill payment assistance from May through October.
Help for TXU Energy Customers
TXU Energy's primary assistance program is TXU Energy Aid. This program helps thousands of Texas families each year.
How to Apply for TXU Energy Aid
The application process for TXU Energy Aid is unique. Customers do not apply to TXU directly. Instead, TXU partners with a network of local social service agencies that review applications and distribute the aid funds.
The only way to apply is to call 2-1-1 or visit 211texas.org. When calling, residents must ask the 2-1-1 operator for "electricity bill help" to be connected to the specific agency in their community that manages the TXU Energy Aid funds.
A special provision exists for military veterans injured in combat who are unable to regulate their body temperature; they are eligible for assistance and can get more information by calling TXU at 800-242-9113.
Help for Reliant Energy Customers
Reliant Energy offers the CARE (Community Assistance from Reliant Energy) program to help residential customers who are facing financial hardship.
Similar to TXU's program, Reliant uses partner agencies to distribute CARE funds. To apply, customers should call 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 operator can identify and connect the caller with the local agency that has available CARE funding.
Reliant also offers payment extensions and has a moratorium on disconnections for low-income seniors and critical-care customers who contact them and agree to a payment plan.
Help for Green Mountain Energy Customers
Green Mountain Energy offers several options, including bill payment assistance, payment arrangements, and levelized payments (average billing) to help manage costs.
Unlike other providers that rely on 2-1-1 for their own funds, Green Mountain customers should call the company directly at 1-866-785-4668 to discuss these options. Green Mountain also encourages customers to call 2-1-1 to find additional community assistance programs.
The Central Hub: 2-1-1 Texas
For residents who are overwhelmed, unsure where to start, or whose electric provider is not listed above, the single most important resource is 2-1-1 Texas.
This free, confidential service is run by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission and acts as the central clearinghouse for all social services in the state. State agencies , county governments , and major private utility companies all direct residents to 2-1-1.
By dialing 2-1-1 (or 877-541-7905), residents can speak with a specialist who will screen their situation and connect them to every available program—state, federal, non-profit, and private—for which they may be eligible in their specific zip code. This service is also searchable online at 211texas.org.
Denton County Government and Partner Portals
Denton County's official government website provides several resource directories for residents needing help. These include:
Help from Your Electric Utility (Oncor)
In most of Denton County, while residents receive their bill from a Retail Electric Provider (REP) like TXU or Reliant , the power lines and equipment are owned and maintained by the Transmission and Distribution Utility (TDU), which is Oncor.
Oncor does not offer direct bill payment assistance. However, it offers two important programs that can provide relief:
The Comprehensive Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) is the primary federally funded resource. It assists low-income households with electricity, gas, and propane bills. In Denton County, this program is administered effectively by the Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG) and Community Services, Inc. (CSI). These agencies pay utility companies directly on behalf of eligible applicants.
To qualify for CEAP, your household income must be at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. As of early 2025, the approximate annual income limits are:
1 Person: $23,475
2 People: $31,725
3 People: $39,975
4 People: $48,225
Add roughly $8,250 for each additional family member.
You must submit an application to the local provider. For Texoma Council of Governments (TCOG), you can download the 2025 application packet from their website and mail it or drop it off at their Denton office (306 N. Loop 288). Community Services, Inc. also accepts applications by appointment. Do not apply directly to the state (TDHCA); you must go through these local subrecipients.
Yes, but indirectly. CoServ utilizes its CoServ Charitable Foundation (CCF) and "Operation Roundup" funds to support local social service agencies rather than giving cash directly to customers. If you are a CoServ member in need, you should apply for assistance through partner agencies like Christian Community Action (CCA) or Interfaith Ministries of Denton, specifying that you are a CoServ member.
Yes. The "Plus One" program is funded by customer donations to help neighbors in financial hardship. To access these funds, you generally need to contact Interfaith Ministries of Denton, which administers the assistance for City of Denton Utilities customers. Additionally, the "Powerful Connections" program allows family or friends to gift payments directly to your account.
Several Denton County organizations offer crisis aid:
Interfaith Ministries of Denton: Assists with City of Denton, Atmos, and TXU bills.
Christian Community Action (CCA): Serves specific school districts (like Lewisville and Little Elm) with financial assistance.
The Salvation Army Denton Corps: Provides emergency utility assistance when funds are available.
Agencies typically require:
Photo ID for all adults in the household.
Proof of Income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, SSDI award letters, etc.).
Citizenship/Residency proof (Birth certificate or U.S. Passport).
Current Utility Bill showing the account number and service address.
Billing History (often the last 12 months) from your provider.
Yes. CEAP and most local non-profit programs are available to both homeowners and renters. As long as you are responsible for paying the electric bill directly to the provider (the bill is in your name), you are eligible to apply for assistance.
Funding is limited and often distributed on a priority basis. Priority 1 households typically include those with:
Elderly residents (age 60+).
Individuals with disabilities.
Children under the age of five.
Households with the highest energy burdens (high energy costs relative to income).
Act immediately. Call 2-1-1 Texas (select option 1) to find agencies with open funding. Contact your electricity provider to request a deferred payment plan or a short-term extension. When applying to agencies like TCOG or CCA, clearly state you have a "disconnect notice," as this may expedite your application as a crisis situation.
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